Entergy Texas Proposes to Build New Power Plant Near Conroe

CONROE, TX -- Entergy Texas is proposing to build a 993-megawatt power plant would cost an estimated $937.3 million and go into service in 2021.

The natural gas -fired facility would provide power to Montgomery County, and would help serve Entergy’s 434,000 customers in 27 southeastern Texas counties that primarily sit to the north and east of Houston.

“We are focused on serving our customers and communities now and into the future. I’m proud that Entergy Texas is making this landmark investment to meet future needs,” Sallie Rainer, president and CEO of Entergy Texas, said in the announcement. “The Montgomery County Power Station is an investment in modern technology that will save our customers $1.7 billion over 30 years by reducing our reliance on energy markets.”

Entergy Texas filed an application with the state’s Public Utility Commission for permission to build the plant, and if approved, would begin construction in 2019.

The proposed plant would be built north of Conroe and just west of Willis near Entergy’s existing footprint by the Lewis Creek Reservoir, officials said.

The Entergy Texas region operates as an integrated monopoly outside of the primary, deregulated Texas grid.

While about 90 percent of Texas power grid operates as an island, the region controlled by Entergy receives power from outside states and operates as part of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator grid that stretches through the middle of the country from Entergy Texas up to Minnesota.

Entergy Texas is based in The Woodlands, but it’s a subsidiary of the New Orleans-based Entergy Corp.

Ranier said the project will create about 2,800 temporary construction jobs, but only about 25 permanent jobs once the facility is in operation.

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